Shelving



Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. SHOFFNER 3,209,709

j 1 Y INVENTOR. 7 40 no WILLIE M. SHOFFNER BY 22 m i ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. SHOFFNER SHELVING iiimwWwmmmmmm ummm- Filed Oct. 15, 1962 R O N E V m WILLIE M. SHOFFNER ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. SHOFFNER SHELVING- 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001:. 15, 1962 INVENTOR. WILLIE M. SHOFFNER ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. SHOFFNER SHELVING 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 15, 1962 FIG-2I m FIG-I8 IVVENTOP. WILLIE M. SHOFF'NER BY z ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. 'SHOFFNER SHELV ING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 15, 1962 INVENTOR. WILLIE M. SHOFFNER ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 w. M. SHOFFNER 3,209,709

SHELVING' Filed Oct. 15, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet e l :1 we use 1M 28 wk I70 I69 BY m #224;

ATTORNEYS 9 INVENTOR.

WILLIE M. SHOFFNER United States Patent O 3,209,709 SHELVING Willie M. Sholfner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Fogarty Manufacturing Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 230,334 9 Claims. (Cl. 10827) This invention relates to shelving and is particularly concerned with shelving that can quickly be erected and quickly knocked down and which is especially adapted for use in merchandising centers such as grocery stores and the like. This invention is still further concerned with the provision of a novel supporting column member for shelving of the nature referred to which has a wide adaptability in various circumstances.

Shelving on which merchandise is placed for display is, of course, well known and such shelving is manufactured in large quantities for groceries and other merchandising centers of this nature. Heretofore such shelving has usually been of such a nature that considerable work is required to erect the shelving and the shelving, once erected, becomes difficult to dismantle and move.

Still further, shelving of this nature, according to the prior art, was usually manufactured to such specifications that only one shelf arrangement could be constructed from any given group of parts. In as much as the requirements for the shelves, with regard to the space that could be alloted thereto and the type of merchandise to be displayed thereon, and the particular location of the shelf vary considerably, it was necessary, with prior art structures, to provide many different shelf units in order to be able to meet the various conditions encountered.

This not only involved a relatively large tooling expense but required the maintaining of a relatively large inventory and created obvious problems of complexity with respect to the manufacture of the shelving units.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 80,266, filed Jan. 3, 1961, now Patent No. 3,081,718, and entitled Shelving Arrangement, I disclosed a novel type shelf arrangement having a number of improved features with particular regard to ease of manufacture and ease of assembling and disassembling the shelving and flexibility of the shelving design so that with one basic set of parts, a number of different shelving arrangements could be erected. The present invention represents a still further advance in this art and still further reduces the cost of manufacture of the shelving structure and introduces novel features in connection therewith.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a greatly improved shelving arrangement for merchandise outlets such as grocery stores.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a shelving arrangement which is extremely easy to set up at the place of use.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an extremely strong shelving arrangement but which arrangement is at the same time quite light in weight.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a novel column especially adapted for use with a shelving arrangement of the nature disclosed but also having utility in connection with other supporting functions.

A still further particular object of this invention is the provision of a shelving arrangement in which the shelves can readily be adjusted to different heights along the supporting columns therefor and without the use of any tools.

Another particular object of the present invention is the construction of a shelving arrangement which could be utilized as a gondola type arrangement with shelves extending outwardly from both sides and which can be ice employed as a wall arrangement with shelves extended outwardly from one side and both units using substantially the same combination of basic elements.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing one arrangement of a shelf structure according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view indicated by the plane 2-22 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through a base member of the shelving structure and is indicated by line 33 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan sectional view taken through one of the column members of the shelf structure and is indicated by line 44 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4A is a plan sectional view indicated by line 4A4A on FIGURE 1 showing how the trim strip along the base fits about the column;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the extreme upper end of the shelf structure at one side thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective sectional view showing a connector member that is utilized for connecting adjacent panels of the shelf structure;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view through one of the shelves of the unit showing the manner in which the brace arm for the unit can be folded up against the shelf for shipping purposes so the shelving can be completely fabricated in a manufacturing plant;

FIGURE 8 is a view showing the shelf of FIGURE 7 attached to a support column showing how the shelf is supportingly engaged by the column;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view indicated by line 9-9 on FIGURE 8 showing how the outer shell of the shelf is connected with the brace arm therefor and the bracing angle located on the under side of the shelf;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view showing a column of the frame of the shelf structure and the base member in whichthe column rests when it is assembled with the base member;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional view indicated by 1111 on FIGURE 10 showing more in detail the manner in which the column engages the base and also showing the trim piece that encloses the base member;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view partly broken away showing how the socket for receiving the lower end of the column is formed in the base member;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a member that rests on the base and which extends between the columns and receives the lower edges of panels extending between the columns;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view like FIGURE 10 but shows a column assembled with a base member of the type that is employed for a wall shelving structure;

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view like FIGURE 4 but shows a modified arrangement of the panel that extends between the columns of the shelf structure when the latter is of the wall type;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the back corner of a shelf modified for use with the modification of FIGURE 15;

FIGURES 17, 18, 19, and 21 are plan views showing different manners in which the basic T member of the supporting column can be arranged in different combinations for different supporting purposes;

FIGURE 20 is a sectional view indicated by line 2020 on FIGURE 1 showing the manner in which the kick plate at the front of the base is connected therewith;

FIGURE 21 is a plan view showing still another manner in which the basic T member of the supporting column in combination with a plate member can be arranged to form the supporting structure thereof;

FIGURE 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a single panel construction according to this invention;

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, and showing the assembly arrangement of the single panel construction of FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 24 is a vertical sectional view indicated by line 2424 on FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of the trim panel;

FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary perspective, partly in section of still another trim panel arrangement and method of assembly;

FIGURE 27 is a fragmentary end view, partly in section, and showing the trim panel arrangement of FIG- URE 26 in an assembled condition;

FIGURE 28 is a fragmentary sectional view indicated by line 28-28 on FIGURE 27; and

FIGURE 29 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view indicated by line 2929 on FIGURE 27.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, a shelf structure according to the present invention is composed, in general, of a base portion and extending upwardly from the base portion are spaced columns 12 and attached to and extending outwardly from the columns are shelves 14 with there also being a shelf 16 resting on the base portion.

As will be seen upon reference to FIGURES 2 and 10, the base portion 10 comprises longitudinally extending side members each of which consists of a vertical web 18 with a top flange 20 and a bottom flange 22. Bottom flange 22 is formed upwardly as at 24 so as to rest along the inclined end of web member 18. The web member and the flanges are welded together to form an integral unit and there is one of these integral units or end members located at each end of the base portion 10.

A kick plate 26 is provided extending across the base member at the front and the back and each kick plate is provided with tabs 28 that extend into the apertures 30 in the turned up portion 24 of the lower flange 22. Each kick plate has its upper end turned back as at 32 and is thus adapted for receiving a channel member 34 into which price tabs or the like can be inserted.

The end members of the base are arranged for receiving the supporting columns 12 by means of the apertures 36 formed in the top and bottom flanges of the base end members.

Each of columns 12 consists of two T-shaped members 38 having their central legs arranged in aligned abutting relation and welded together. Each flange of each T member is provided with rectangular apertures 40 spaced therealong closely adjacent the central leg of the pertaining T member.

Each column is reinforced by plates 42 which extend from the lowermost end of the welded together T members 38 upwardly along opposite sides of the central legs thereof and terminate in a flanged portion 43 and which plates are welded to the central legs as by spot welding or the like. These plates add substantially to the rigidity of the columns which are, of course, subjected to the greatest bending stress toward the bottom. At the uppermost portion of each column are provided smaller plates 42' having flanged portions 43' and being substantially the same as plates 42 except for length as shown in FIG- URES 10, 14 and 22.

At the extreme bottom ends of columns 12 there are provided the additional plates 44 and bars 45, bars 45 being spaced a distance from plates 44 as shown in FIG- URES 4, 15, and 22. Plates 44 lie on the outsides of plates 42 but which extend downwardly below the ends of the columns a suflicient distance so that the plates 44 will have a projection equalling the total height of the base and members. Plates 44 and bars are welded to the columns with plates 44 adapted for being received in the apertures 36 and on opposite sides of the web 18 of the pertaining base end member.

The column when assembled with the base end member appears as it does in FIGURE 11 wherein it will be seen that plates 44 extend downwardly in the base end member so as to pass through the aperture 36 in the lower flange 22 thereof. The column at this time is resting on top of flange 20 of the base end member. A single self tapping screw 46 is provided which bolts the plates 44 to web 18 and this provides a rigid connection between the columns and the base members.

Each base end memebr is preferably provided with one or more leveling screws 50 threaded through the lower flange 22 so that the base can be adjusted so as to rest level on an uneven floor.

A trim panel 52 is provided along each base end member having its lower edges turned under flange 22 and its upper edge projecting vertically upwardly at the outside edge of upper flange 20.

Panel 52 has its extreme end portions bent over as at 53 thereby to cover the extreme ends of kick plate 26 and thereby also to conceal the portions of the kick plate that are turned inward for engaging the apertures 30 in the end member of the base. This is illustrated in FIGURE 20 wherein it will also be seen that kick plate 26 at the rear end of the upwardly inclined portion 32 thereof has a part formed downwardly and then backwardly as at 33 for engagement beneath the lower front edge of the lowermost shelf 16.

The trim panel 52 has fixed thereto along the upper edge strips 55 that extends inwardly about half way over the adjacent end member of the base. These portions 55 have an upwardly open groove 57 for receiving the side edge of the lowermost shelf member 16.

As it will be seen in FIGURE 4A, the strips 55 are spaced so as to receive the column.

Extending laterally between the columns of the two base end members are panels 60 which, as can be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, are provided with bent in portions 62 that engage the vertical inside edges of the respective columns. The panels are retained in place against the columns by the bent in portions 62. The panels 60 in this manner serve to connect the columns and at the same time to hold them in fixed spaced relation.

Each of the said panels is reinforced by rib means 68 formed therein and extending laterally across the panels parallel to the horizontal. These ribs, or indentations, not only serve to strengthen the panels but are also useful as guides in determining when the shelves are horizontal and, still further, impart a decorative appearance to the panels.

The outside face of each of the columns is covered by a cap member 70 which has a bent in flange portion 72 at its base that snaps over bar 45 and at its upper end a flange portion 73 adapted for being received in the pocket provided by plate 42' and flange 43' as shown in FIGURE 22. It will be noted that the cap members 70 enclose the outside half of each of the columns by flanges 71 while the inner portion is exposed so that the apertures 40 in the inner portion can receive the supporting members of the shelves to be mounted on the columns.

As will be seen in FIGURE 2, there is provided at the bottom of the columns and extending laterally thcrebetween a formed sheet metal member 74 having turned up side edges at 76 that provide channels for receiving the lower edges of the panels 60. Member 74 will be seen in perspective in FIGURE 13 and has a downwardly formed center part 78 that rests on top of the two base side members.

The turned up side edges 76 at their extreme ends also rest on the top flanges of the side members while intermediate the said portions member 74 is notched out at 80 for receiving the side edges of the columns. Tab portions 81 are adapted to be received over bar 45 as shown in FIGURES 4A and 22. A member 74 can thus be put in place between the columns and will be supported in position without any fastening means.

The panels 60 are generally two in number on each side of the columns and each of the lower panels 60 at its upper end receives an S-shaped connector 82 which, in turn, receives the lower edge of the upper panel 60.

At the uppermost edges of the upper panels 60, two of the S-shaped members 82 are provided and these members are adapted for receiving a trim cap strip 84 as shown in FIGURE 2. Trim cap strip 84 is provided with a flanged portion 85 adapted to be received in a pocket formed by plate 42 and flange 43 as shown in FIGURE 22.

The structure previously described makes up the frame of the base of the shelving structure and the columns at the sides of the base extending upwardly therefrom, and the panels extending between the columns. This basic structure is extremely strong and rigid but, at the same time, is quite light in weight. The basic structure referred to can easily be set up with the use of the simplest of tools and it can be packaged in relatively small packages for shipment from the factory to a point of use.

The structure described is adapted for receiving and supporting shelves such as have been designated by reference numeral 14 in FIGURE 1. The structure of the shelves will be seen in FIGURES 2 and 7 through 9. Each of the said shelves comprises an outer shell part 90, of stainless steel or another suitably metallic material, and disposed beneath each shell part is one or more transversely extending reinforcing elements 92.

These elements 92 are constructed by forming said metal so as to have an upper surface that engages the bottom of the shell part and with there being panels formed in the elements extending transversely of the shelf. The reinforcing elements 92 are welded at their ends to angles 94 so that the reinforcing structure itself comprises the combination of the laterally extending reinforcing element or elements 92 together with the angles 94 welded thereto to each end. Angle 95 is provided at the extended edge of shelving construction 14 and is welded to outer shell part 90.

This reinforcing structure is not attached to the shell 90 of the shelf by welding but is merely disposed beneath the shelf so as to be in supporting relation thereto.

Disposed between each angular member 94 and the adjacent downwardly turned side edge of the outer shell part 90 of the pertaining shelf is a brace bar 96. This brace bar has a countersunk hole therein and the brace bar and the shell 90 of the shelf and the adjacent angle 94 are interconnected by a screw 98 having a nut 100 so that when the nut is drawn up the head of the screw will pull the material of the shell 90 into the countersunk hole thereby preventing the head of the screw from projecting outwardly from the side of the shelf.

The brace bar 96 can be folded up against the bottom of the shelf or it can be swung downwardly at an angle thereto about the axis of screw 98. A tapered end part 102 on the brace bar predetermines the angular position which it can assume relative to the shelf.

One end of each of the angle members 94 extends outwardly from the back edge of the shelf and terminates in a hook 104 which is receivable in one of the apertures 40 of a column. The brace bar 96, on the other hand, has a notch formed in the end thereof so that the brace bar can engage another of the apertures 40 with the tip 106 extending through the aperture and the shoulder 108 thereof engaging the face of the column. The combination of the angles 94 with the hook portions thereon and the brace bars make a very convenient arrangement for attaching the shelves to the columns.

It is only necessary to tip the shelves upwardly at their outer edges and insert the hooks 104 into corresponding apertures 40 of the two columns and then to drop the outer end of the shelf downwardly at which time the ends 6 of the brace bars will automatically enter the correct apertures 40.

In mounting the shelves the transverse indentations 68 in the back panels are highly useful because it is easy to ascertain when a shelf is in a proper horizontal position. This has been a. difliculty with previous shelving arrangements.

For longer shelves, the brace bar can be made longer and be pivoted to the shelf at a point farther removed from the back edge of the shelfthan has been illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8.

The shelf illustrated in FIGURE 7 or 8 is a shelf of the type shown in FIGURE 1 Where the panels 60 are substantially flush with the front and back faces of the columns of the structure. This, as mentioned, is what is referred to as gondola? type shelving. However, where it is desired to place the shelf along a wall so the shelves project outwardly. in only one direction, a somewhat different arrangement is employed.

FIGURE 15 shows the manner in which the columns and back panelare arranged for a wall mounted unit. In this figure a side column is indicated at 110 and the back panel is indicated at 112. The-column and the panel are the same as are illustrated in FIGURE 4 except that the panel 112 is set backwardly to about the center line of the columns 110 instead of being substantially flush with the outer faces thereof.

The shelves mounted. in this arrangement can then extend backwardly between the columns so that the back edges of the shelves are in the region of the panel 112. This is done by modifying the shelf-structure as illustrated in FIGURE 16. In this View, it will be seen that the shell 114 of the shelf, which is identical with the shell of a correspondingly sized conventional shelf, is provided with an incision 116 adjacent with the back edge. This incision enables the corner portions of the shell to be bent inwardly as at 118 and 120.

This can be done manually at the time of. assembling the shell withits supporting structure. Also, the angles 122 of the supporting structure. are set forwardly beneath the shell so that the hook portions 124 thereof are disposed somewhat forwardly of the. inner edge of the shelf thus enabling the hook portions to enter the apertures of the columns 110 while the inner edges of the shelves are closely adjacent the back panel 112.

When the shelf structure is utilized as a wall shelf, the base portions are modified as illustrated-in FIGURE 14 by cutting off the end members of the base at 126. The remainder of the construction is the same as has already been described.

With respect to the lowermost shelf of either the gondola type or the wall type shelf structure, there is provided a shell 128 having its four side edges turned downwardly and this shell rests with its back edge in the. groove 76 0f member 74 and with its front edge on the turned back portion 33 of kick plate 26 and with its side edges in the grooves 57 of the strips 55. Extending across beneath the lower shelf is an undulating reinforcing member or members 92 which can be loosely disposed beneath the shell of the shelf withits end portions resting on the top flanges of the two end members of the base.

As-Will be seen in FIGURES 2 and 10, the base end members are preferably provided with two sets of apertures for receiving the lower end of the columns. This will permit the columns to be located in the center of the base or, if preferred, to be located to one side of the center in which positionythe columns are illustrated in FIGURE 2. The placement of the columns in either one socket or the other merely requires a selection of lower shelves of the proper size and some slight modification of the strips 55 but this in no other way changes the construction of the shelf structure.

All of the parts of the shelving arrangement can be constructed by simple bending, rolling or punching techniques and there is a minimum amount of welding to be carried out and a minimum amount of surface finishing.

The structure is light but is extremely strong, is inexpensive to manufacture, can be packaged in a small space and can easily and quickly be set up and knocked down.

It will be evident from the foregoing that a basic element of the shelf structure of the present invention that contributes a great deal to the strength and low cost and adaptability thereof are the column members made up of the T sections having apertures distributed along the head portion thereof on opposite sides of the leg or web. This basic T section can be embodied in a number of different arrangements to advantage as has been illustrated in FIGURES 17, 18, 19, and 21.

In FIGURE 17, it will be seen that three of the T sections, indicated at 130, 132, and 134, are arranged at right angles to each other and have their legs welded together at 136. This forms a sort of column arrangement which, on account of the apertures in the head thereof, can be employed for supporting purposes.

FIGURE 18 shows how four of the T sections, indicated at 138, can be arranged in the form of a cross and have their legs welded together at 140. This provides still another supporting arrangement having apertures for receiving hooks on all four sides thereof.

In FIGURE 19, it will be seen how six of the T secitons 142 could be arranged with their legs welded together at 144 and at least two of the heads welded together at 146, thus making a six-sided column arrangement with apertures distributed along all six sides thereof.

FIGURE 21 shows another arrangement whereby a T section 148 is welded to a plate section 150 to form substantially the same structure embodied in FIGURES 1 through 5.

Referring to FIGURES 21 through 23 which shows a single panel construction 151, comprising panel members 152 and 152 having oppositely disposed end flanges 154 and 154 adapted for receiving in slots 155 formed in clip members 156.

To assemble the single panel construction illustrated, clips 156 are snapped over flared ends 43 and 43 of plates 42 and 42 the oppositely disposed clips being reversibly positioned as shown. One of the flanges 154 of the bottom panel 152 is placed in one of the slots 155 of a clip member 156, with the other end of bottom panel 152 being similarly disposed. The panel 152 is then slid downwardly until the offset bottom portion 158 of bottom panel 152 is positioned in grooved portion 78 of lateral member 74, thus forming the bottom panel portion of the single panel construction 151 as will be best seen in FIGURE 24.

One side of an S strip member 82 is then positioned along the top edge of bottom panel 152 with the other of its sides forming a upwardly extended groove disposed in vertical alignment with the offset portion 158 of bottom panel 152 as shown.

Subsequently a top panel member 152' is positioned in the same manner as the above described bottom panel 152 except that the offset portion 158 of top panel 152' is disposed in the upwardly extended groove to form the top panel portion of the single panel construction 151. A top trim cap 84 is then provided as shown and being more fully described elsewhere.

Thus, it can be seen that a single panel construction of this invention has been formed which requires a minimum of assembly time and without the inherent disadvantages of the employment of fastening members or the like.

FIGURE 25 shows the trim panel arrangement 52 having a bent spring clip 160 spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to flanged portion 53 and adapted for snap fastening within the outside portion of slot 30, FIG- URE 10, of bottom flange 22 of the base 10. The other side of slot 30 being adapted for receiving tab 28 of kick plate 26, FIGURE 20. Trim panel 52 is also provided with a cast corner piece 162 having right angle slots 164 and a transverse slot 166 for receiving the cut out portion of trim panel 52 and the flange portion of a stepped strip member 55 as shown. Cast corner piece 162 being provided for decorative and strengthing purposes as well as protecting the ultimate consumer and store personnel from possible injury from exposed sharp corners.

FIGURES 26 through 29 show another arrangement of a trim panel and kick panel construction and the manner of assembling the same to a base portion 172.

Trim panel 168 is provided with a cast corner piece 174 similar to and providing all the functions of the above described cast corner piece with the exception of the transverse slot 176 which is located nearer to the top of the member and being slotted back to the right angle slots 178 to provide for abutting relationship for stepped strip member 180 against the vertical slot portion of right angle slots 178. Stepped strip members 180 provide at 190 a supporting means for a base panel 192, shown by phantom lines in FIGURES 27 and 29, and being spot welded at 181 or otherwise secured to trim panel 168.

Kick panel is provided with a top and bottom flange 194 and 196 respectively, and with extension flanges 198 and clip members 200 at each end, FIG- URE 26.

The manner of assembling trim panel 168 and kick panel 170 to the base portion 172 will now be described.

Trim panel 168 is positioned in cocked relation to base portion 172 with the underside of step 191 of stepped strip member embracing the top flange of base portion 172. Trim panel 168 is then pressed downwardly and inwardly toward base portion 172 to cause step 191 of stepped strip member 180 and bottom flange 169 of trim panel 168 to be secured in snapped relation to base portion 172 as shown in FIGURES 27 and 29.

Kick panel 170 is then simply snapped into position by pressing clip members 200 around the inside rods 173 of opposed base portions 172 (one only being shown), with extension flanges 198 positioned near the reversed turned portion of trim panel 168. The clip members 200 are free to slide along rods 173 and thus will compensate for any unevenness of the floor and in addition will prevent any appreciable amount of trash from accumulating between the base portions of the structure.

However, when it does become necessary to clean underneath the structure, the store personnel simply removes the kick panel by reaching within the space provided between the bottom of base panel 192 and the top of kick panel 170, FIGURE 27, and by grasping along the top flange 194, pulls outwardly and away from the structure to release clip members 200 from around rods 173. The panels are then replaced after cleaning underneath the structure as above described.

Thus a trim and kick panel construction in combination with a base portion has been provided which compensates for any unevenness of the floor supporting it and provides for easy removal of the trim panel member for purposes of cleaning.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt to it different usages and conditions; and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a shelf unit; a pair of spaced base members, each said base member comprising a vertical web and top and bottom flange means fixed thereto, said flange means having vertically aligned rectangular aperture means therein centered with respect to said web, a column for each base member comprising an elongated member H shaped in cross section having a portion resting on the top flange means of the base member of said aperture means and with the center leg of the elongated member coplanar with the web of the base member, tongue elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and fixed thereto and extending beyond the end of the elongated member through the aperture means in said top and bottom flange means, said tongue elements fitting closely in said aperture means and being disposed on op posite sides of said web, and panel means extending between and connected to said columns holding the columns in predetermined spaced relation, each said column having a vertical row of apertures formed therein, and shelf means having hook elements at the back edge for engagement with predetermined ones of said aperture means and said shelf means also having brace elements attached to the ends thereof and extending downwardly at an angle into engagement with others of said aperture means.

2. In a shelf unit; a pair of spaced base members, each said base member comprising a vertical web and top and bottom flange means fixed thereto, said flange means having vertically aligned rectangular aperture means therein centered with respect to said web, a column for each base member comprising an elongated member H shaped in cross section having a portion resting on the top flange means of the base member of said aperture means and with the center leg of the elongated member coplanar with the web of the base member, tongue elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and fixed thereto and extending beyond the end of the elongated member through the aperture means in said top and bottom flange means, said tongue elements fitting closely in said aperture means and being disposed on opposite sides of said web, and panel means extending between and connected to said columns holding the columns in predetermined spaced relation, each said column having a vertical row of apertures formed therein, and shelf means having hook elements at the back edge for engagement with predetermined ones of said aperture means and said shelf means also having brace elements attached to the ends thereof and extending downwardly at an angle into engagement with others of said aperture means, said panel means including transverse rib means which stiffen the panel means and provide a guide for assisting in mounting the shelf means horizontally on the columns.

3. In a shelf unit; a pair of spaced base members, each said base member comprising a vertical Web and top and bottom flange means fixed thereto, said flange means having vertically aligned rectangular aperture means therein centered with respect to said web, a column for each base member comprising an elongated member H shaped in cross section having a portion resting on the top flange means of the base member of said aperture means and with the center leg of the elongated member coplanar with the web of the base member, tongue elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and fixed thereto and extending beyond the end of the elongated member through the aperture means in said top and bottom flange means, said tongue elements fitting closely in said aperture means and being disposed on opposite sides of said web, and panel means extending between and connected to said columns holding the columns in predetermined spaced relation, each said panel means having its opposite edge portions engaging the faces of said elongated members, and being formed inwardly at the edge of each said elongated member to form an outwardly opening groove in the panel means and also to form abutment means engaging the edges of the elongated member and forming spring clips in said aperture means for engaging the edge portions of said elongated members to hold said panels in place.

4. In a shelf unit; a pair of spaced base members, each said base member comprising a vertical web and top and bottom flange means fixed thereto, said flange means having vertically aligned rectangular aperture means therein 1d centered with respect to said web, a column for each base member comprising an elongated member H shaped in cross section having a portion resting on the top flange means of the base member of said aperture means and with the center leg of the elongated member co planar with the web of the base member, tongue elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and fixed thereto and extending beyond the end of the elongated member through the aperture means in said top and bottom flange means, said tongue elements fitting closely in said aperture means and being disposed on opposite sides of said web, and panel means extending between and connected to said columns holding the columns in predetermined spaced relation, each said panel means lying in a plane disposed backwardly of the face of each H shaped member, the edge portion of each panel means extending outwardly to the face of the pertaining elongated member and then laterally in engagement with the said face of the elongated member, and having spring clip means engaging said H shaped members to hold the panel means in assembled relation with said elongated members.

5. In a shelf unit; a pair of spaced base members, each said base member comprising a vertical web and top and bottom flange means fixed thereto, said flange means having vertically aligned rectangular aperture means therein centered with respect to said web, a column for each base member comprising an elongated member H shaped in cross section having a portion resting on the top flange means of said base member with the center leg of the elongated member coplanar with the web of the base member and with the opposed flange means of said elongated member embracing said top flange aperture means of the base member, first plate elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and on opposite sides and fixed thereto and extending from the bottom of said elongated member to a point substantially midway along the channels of the elongated member and being flared outwardly to form upwardly opening recess means therefor, second plate elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and on opposite sides and fixed thereto and being disposed at the upper end of said elongated members and being substantially shorter than said first plate elements, said second plate elements being flared outwardly to form upwardly opening recess means, tongue elements disposed in the channels of said elongated members and adjacent to the bottom portion of said first plate element and fixed thereto and extending beyond the end of the elongated member through the aperture means in said top .and bottom flange means and on opposite sides of the Web of said base member, bar elements disposed in the channels and on opposite sides at the lower extremity of said elongated members and being spaced outwardly and coplanar with the opposed flanges of said elongated member and fixed thereto, and panel means extending between and connected to said columns holding the columns in predetermined spaced relation.

6. A shelf unit according to claim 5 in which each of said panel means is provided at its edge portions with reverse turned flanges extending from the top thereof and terminating just short of the bottom of said panel means, clip elements, each substantially U shaped and having a portion of one free end forming extension means, said extension means being provided with a longitudinal slot terminating just short of the outer edge and adapted for receiving the said reverse turned flanges of the panel means, said clip elements being further adapted for engagement within the upwardly opening recess means of said first and second plate elements for securely holding said panel means in an upright position, a bottom panel receiving strip having at its opposed edges upwardly and outwardly extending longitudinal flanges forming upwardly opening grooves, said strip also being provided with a central upwardly opening groove, said central groove adapted for receiving the bottom edge of one of said panel means, downwardly turned flanged portions at the opposed ends of said strip adapted for snap engament over said bar elements, an S shaped member one side being adapted for positioning along the top edge of said panel means and the other side adapted for receiving the bottom edge of another of said panel means.

7. In a shelf unit comprising the elements of claim wherein the top and bottom flange means of each said base member at their opposed ends turn upwardly, being apertured on said bottom flange centrally of the web of said base member and in the region of said turn, trim panel means, each having at its opposed ends angularly inwardly reverse turned flanges having spring clip elements fixedly attached thereto adapted for engagement within said aperture of said bottom flange of the base member and being provided with an inwardly extending flange along the bottom edge thereof, said trim panel means also being provided with stepped elements fixedly attached thereto, said stepped elements being provided at their free edges with upturned flanges forming upwardly opening grooves, and grooves adapted for receiving flanged portions of a floor panel member, and kick plate means provided with an inwardly extending tang portion adapted for receiving within said aperture of said bottom flange of the base member to provide end coverings therefor.

8. In a shelf unit; a vertical column having a plurality of rectangular apertures arranged in a vertical row thereon, a hook member projecting from the shelf having a notch in the top receivable in one of said apertures by tilting the shelf upwardly to engage the top edge of the aperture into the notch, said member being of a dimension from the bottom of the member to the bottom of the notch as substantially to fill said aperture when the self is lowered to a horizontal position, and a brace element connected to an intermediate point of the shelf and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle to the column and having a notch in the column end forming a finger on the end of the brace element which enters another of said apertures while the shoulder formed by the notch engages the face of the column, said shelf comprising a top member having a dependent peripheral flange, a reinforcing member engaging the underside of said top member, angle members fixed to the ends of said reinforcing member extending from the front to the back of the shelf and including said hook member, the

shelf end of said brace element being disposed between said angle member and the end flange of the shelf, and a single screw extending through said end flange and brace member and angle member securing the assembly to-- gether.

9. In a shelf unit; a vertical column having a plurality of rectangular apertures arranged in a vertical row thereon, a hook member projecting from the shelf having a notch in the top receivable in one of said apertures by tilting the shelf upwardly to engage the top edge of the aperture into the notch, said member being of a dimension from the bottom of the member to the bottom of the notch as substantially to fill said aperture when the shelf is lowered to a horizontal position, and a brace element connected to an intermediate point of the shelf and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle to the column and having a notch in the column and forming a finger on the end of the brace element which enters another of said apertures while the shoulder formed by the notch engages the face of the column, said shelf comprising a top member having a dependant peripheral flange, a reinforcing member engaging the underside of said top member, angle members fixed to the ends of said reinforcing member extending from the front to the back of the shelf and including said hook member, the shelf end of said brace element being disposed between said angle member and the end flange of the shelf, and a single screw extending through said end flange and brace member and angle member securing the assembly together, said brace element at the shelf end being cut off at an angle so the brace element can be folded into the shelf or tilted outwardly therefrom and said cut off providing a stop to locate the brace element when it is folded outwardly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,777 3/56 Schoenhardt 108107 X 2,787,382 4/57 Williams 108153 2,803,351 8/57 Wiggeren 108-l08 2,956,688 10/60 Galassi 108108 2,991,889 7/61 Levy et al 211177 2,998,107 8/61 Zimmerla 108-108 X 3,044,632 7/62 Schild 10892 3,081,718 3/63 Shoffner 108-108 3,085,693 4/63 Shell 2l1134 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SHELF UNIT; A PAIR OF SPACED BASE MEMBERS, EACH SAID BASE MEMBER COMPRISING A VERTICAL WEB AND TOP AND BOTTOM FLANGE MEANS FIXED THERETO, SAID FLANGE MEANS HAVING VERTICALLY ALIGNED RECTANGULAR APERTURE MEANS THEREIN CENTERED WITH RESPECT TO SAID WEB, A COLUMN FOR EACH BASE MEMBER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED MEMBER H SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION HAVING A PORTION RESTING ON THE TOP FLANGE MEANS OF THE BASE MEMBER OF THE ELONGATED MEMBER COPLANAR WITH THE CENTER LEG OF THE ELONGATED MEMBER COPLANAR WITH THE WEB OF THE BASE MEMBER, TONGUE ELEMENTS DISPOSED IN THE CHANNELS OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS AND FIXED THERETO AND EXTENDING BEYOND THE END OF THE ELONGATED MEMBER THROUGH THE APERTURE MEANS IN SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FLANGE MEANS, SAID TONGUE ELEMENTS FITTING CLOSELY IN SAID APERTURE MEANS AND BEING DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID WEB, AND PANEL MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO SAID COLUMNS HOLDING THE COLUMNS IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATION, EACH SAID COLUMN HAVING A VERTICAL ROW OF APERTURES FORMED THEREIN, AND SHELF MEANS HAVING HOOK ELEMENTS AT THE BACK EDGE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH PREDETERMINED ONES OF SAID APERTURE MEANS AND SAID SHELF MEANS ALSO HAVING BRACE ELEMENTS ATTACHED TO THE ENDS THEREOF AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AT AN ANGLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHERS OF SAID APERTURE MEANS. 